Will my doctor try to flip my baby if it's breech?

Will my doctor try to flip my baby if it's breech?

If your baby is breech, your healthcare provider may consider turning your baby so that you can have a vaginal delivery. In some cases, trying to turn your baby may not be safe or the risks outweigh the benefits.

Flipping your baby may not be safe if you have any of the following:

• Bleeding from your vagina.
• Placenta previa. This is when your placenta covers all or part of your cervix.
• A nonreactive nonstress test.
• An abnormally small baby.
• Low level of amniotic fluid.
• Low or high fetal heart rate.
• Premature rupture of the membranes.
• Twins or multiples.

The most common method used to turn a breech baby is called external cephalic version (ECV). It's performed by your healthcare provider around 37 weeks of pregnancy. This procedure is performed in the hospital just in case an emergency occurs. It involves placing hands on your abdomen and applying firm pressure to turn your baby to a head-down position while your baby is still in your uterus. It is about 65% effective and carries some risks.